Badge of Excellence awards were given to 19 Department of Public Safety employees at a ceremony Nov. 15 held at the State Bureau of Investigations’ auditorium.
“Excellence can mean different things to different people, but to quote John W. Gardner, it means ‘doing ordinary things extraordinarily well,’” said DPS Secretary Frank Perry.
“Today, we honor these exceptional individuals for doing their job extraordinarily well,” Perry said. “They have not only made significant contributions to the Department of Public Safety, but their diligence to perform their jobs to a higher standard has long-lasting impacts on their co-workers and the State of North Carolina.”
The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to improve the quality of life for North Carolinians by reducing crime and enhancing public safety. The department’s employees are charged to prevent, protect and prepare with integrity and honor.
The 19 employees were recognized for their accomplishments in the categories of customer service, human relations, innovation and efficiency, outstanding achievement and performance, public service and volunteerism, and safety and heroism.
"I applaud the men and women in this Department who continuously strive to excel not only in their job but also within their community,” Perry said. “Badge of Excellence recipients are model examples of public servants – selfless, competent, with hearts devoted to service.”
The recipients are as follows:
Customer Service
Sylvia L. Clement – Juvenile Justice, District 28 (Buncombe County)
As the chief court counselor for the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice’s District 28, Clement implemented the Graduated Rewards and Sanctions Initiative to motivate youth on probation to succeed. The Initiative includes short, moderate and long-term goals, awards for clients for achieving goals and sanctions for probation violations. Her work toward increasing customer service within District 28 also involved a holistic approach to keeping staff mentally and physically healthy, resulting in District 28’s scoring 98 percent – first place ranking for excellence of service – in the 2015 peer review and establishing committees to enhance workplace atmosphere.
Sharon F. Greene – Human Resources (Raleigh)
Having been with the Department of Public Safety for 34 years has provided Greene with an extensive knowledge of human resources policies and procedures. As personnel technician III, Greene provides exceptional customer service to clients and coworkers. She offers assistance, and explains policies and procedures in a manner that is easily understood. Greene is known for her great rapport and willingness to go the extra mile to assist clients and coworkers.
Linda S. Strickland – Tabor Correctional Institution (Tabor City)
Strickland, who has recently been promoted to the position of personnel technician I, serves as the Beacon time report coordinator, family medical leave coordinator and correction peace officers coordinator. With more than 500 employees located in two separate buildings, Strickland demonstrates customer service best practices daily by helping to promote a positive, helpful, and friendly job environment.
Human Relations
Maj. Selicia M. Mitchell – North Carolina National Guard (Raleigh)
Maj. Mitchell is a Military Personnel Management Officer with the North Carolina National Guard. She creates plans and executes successful events such as the NCNG Association Combined Ball, which hosted more than 1,200 enlisted and officer members along with their families, pinning ceremonies, Air Force birthday events and multiple retirement ceremonies for Joint Forces Headquarters staff. She is also credited for her roles in the application and promotion process for the Exceptional Enlisted Promotion program, Joint Forces Headquarters’ standard operating procedures for statewide awards and providing guidance to the Wing to ensure the NCNG receives proper recognition. Demonstrating leadership, Maj. Mitchell was instrumental in the development of the innovative office process improvements that updated duty appointments, revised headquarters instructions and organized Joint Forces Headquarters-Air participation in the Air Force inspection program.
Daniel B. Rivera – Carteret Correctional Center (Newport)
Daniel Rivera is a correctional officer at Carteret Correctional Center and serves as role model for his selfless actions toward a fellow officer. Fellow Department of Public Safety correctional officer Norman Choyce was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in May 2015 that left him, at times, wheelchair-bound. Officer Choyce reached out to Officer Rivera for assistance with repairing his residence and making it wheelchair accessible. Officer Rivera sought donations of building materials from local vendors and contractors, and then built a team made up of other Carteret Correctional Center employees to help one of their own. He, along with other Carteret Correctional Center staff, completed the necessary repairs and held a fundraiser to provide Officer Choyce and his family with additional funds for recuperation.
Innovation and Efficiency
Tracy Ashworth, Theresa B. Stephenson – Human Resources (Raleigh)
Theresa Stephenson, assistant general counsel, and Tracy Ashworth, Workers’ Compensation Program manager, established new collaboration between DPS’ Human Resources and General Counsel, which resulted in significant future state government cost savings. This duo worked together on DPS settlements for worker’s compensation in 2015; this resulted in a savings of $37.6 million for the estimated lifetime expenditure of worker’s compensation claims. Ashworth and Stephenson have also been recognized by the N.C. Office of State Human Resources for significant contributions to reducing the state’s overall long-term costs associated with worker’s compensation.
Kathy A. Reitzel – Human Resources (Raleigh)
As deputy director for DPS’ Human Resources, Reitzel leads a team that should be credited for the most successful launch of the state’s new human resources information technology systems. Reitzel worked with her team to successfully launch the Learning Management System, North Carolina Valuing Individual Performance (NCVIP) initiative. She ensures that DPS adheres to OSHR directives; staff understands what is expected; key stakeholders have input and understand how to help employees through new processes; and that all information technology resources staff is available to assist. She exhibited exemplary leadership with the preparation for, launching, and management of NCVIP, thereby improving the work process within DPS.
Outstanding Achievement and Performance
Capt. Gregory J. Groff – Hoke Correctional Institution (Raeford)
Hoke Correctional Institution Capt. Gregory Groff has taken a leadership role working with veterans in his community. Capt. Groff is also a combat veteran who served during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In the past year, Capt. Groff has been a member of Team RWB (Red White and Blue), a national non-profit organization that enriches the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activities. He accepted a leadership position as the veteran outreach director in the Sandhills Chapter, where he participates in the activities and speaks at gatherings to promote Team RWB. He has also participated in races of varying distances as both a runner and Team RWB recruiter. Capt. Groff is also involved with the Patriot Guard Riders, which is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts that perform flag lines and motorcycle funeral escorts for military veterans.
Clay A. Joyner, Anthony W. Mills – ALE (Raleigh)
Assistant Special Agents Clay Joyner and Anthony Mills led the investigation that resulted in a federal grand jury indictment of Ricky Godwin, Sr. and Ricky Godwin, Jr. and their corporation, Regional Amusements Inc., of Selma, on 22 charges related to the operation of illegal video gaming machines in August 2015. The undercover investigation began in March 2013, with Joyner and Mills working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District in North Carolina, the FBI, IRS and U.S. Marshals Service. The investigation also resulted in the seizure of 366 illegal video gaming machines, 276 sweepstakes machines and 58 illegal quarter pushers, along with nearly $2.7 million from the vendor and businesses involved in illegal gambling and about $1.1 million from ATM’s owned by the vendor safety deposit boxes in Johnston County. Their investigation has seen a dramatic reduction and, in some counties, an elimination of illegal video gaming machines.
Darlene Langston – Operations (Raleigh)
As budget director for one of the largest state agencies in North Carolina, Langston has an intricate knowledge of the state budget systems that allows her to anticipate responses before issues even arise. She played a key role in ensuring fiscal needs of the NCNG’s Youth ChalleNGe programs were met, and worked with the NCNG and Community Corrections to establish a training kitchen at the NCNG Joint Forces Headquarters which now provides breakfast and lunch at minimal cost. On a daily basis, Langston exhibits the level of expert technical knowledge and customer service that her fellow employees admire and appreciate.
Public Service and Volunteerism
Cleveland Atkinson, Jr. – State Highway Patrol (Raleigh)
Trooper Atkinson, Jr. regularly serves as a motivational speaker at local churches and various functions across the state, where he shares strategies on how to combat gang activity, provides gang awareness information to parents and school officials, and speaks on the negative effect of gang activities on families, students and communities. He serves as chairperson of the Youth Committee at Thorne’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church – a position he has held since 2009. He also co-founded T.H.I.N.K. (Thorne’s Chapel Inspiring Neighborhood Kids), a program that teaches youth to be motivated to succeed in life by serving God. Trooper Atkinson co-founded “Bibles, Badges and Businesses,” an organization comprised of local church officials, law enforcement officers and businessmen focused on helping citizens with criminal backgrounds, high school dropouts and others seeking employment. With the support of community members and fellow law enforcement officials, Trooper Atkinson also organized a Bicycle Rodeo which provides bike safety and school supplies to local youths.
Sgt. Craig G. Harris – State Highway Patrol (Fletcher)
For the past six years, Sgt. Harris has led an initiative to bring joy to those in the hospital during the Christmas holidays. He organizes and spearheads volunteers in his district to collect books, games and coloring books so kids who are confined to their hospital beds can enjoy the time away from home. Sgt. Harris also partnered with Detroit Tigers outfielder and Asheville native Cameron Maybin to sign autographs at the hospital. When told by his nephew about a boy in his school who was being bullied, Sgt. Harris jumped into action. He went out of his way to meet and assist the young boy, found out that the boy’s mother was in Asheville’s Mission Hospital dying of cancer and the family was struggling financially. Sgt. Harris went to the school and had lunch with the student; he encouraged his fellow officers in the district to purchase new clothes, several pairs of shoes and toys for the young boy for Christmas. Together, they were also able to collect a total of $500 for the family. In October of 2014, along with other officers, Sgt. Harris also organized a fun day at the Mission Children’s Outpatient Center.
Tiffany M. Horne – Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy (Salemburg)
Serving as the Academy’s data entry clerk, she dedicates countless hours to ensuring that admission information is entered and completed before deadlines. Her exceptional commitment to the vision of Tarheel ChalleNGe is exhibited through her work ethics and passion for the success of the Academy.
William D. Sherman, Jr. – Community Corrections (Smithfield)
Sherman began his service to North Carolinians as a chaplain at Johnston Correctional Institution, joining Community Corrections as a probation officer about 20 years ago. He organizes the annual Johnston County Law Enforcement Banquet held at First Baptist Church of Smithfield to recognize other law enforcement employees. Sherman also organizes the Johnston County Schools’ Employee Recognition day. Operational since 1995, this program involves cooking hotdogs and hamburgers for all school employees. He also recently donated more than 40 gifts to Community Corrections to hold drawings for probation officers and judicial services coordinators – an effort that goes towards boosting workplace morale by honoring and appreciating employees.
Donald W. Watkins, Jr. – Marion Correctional Institution (Salisbury)
Watkins is the assistant superintendent of custody/operations at Marion Correctional Institution. On Oct. 28, 2014, he was riding his motorcycle in Clyde when a truck lost control and hit him head on. He suffered several life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville. His injuries caused him to have numerous surgeries and the amputation of his left leg. Crediting his faith in God for saving his life, Donald returned to full-time duty at Marion Correctional Institution one year after his accident, demonstrating his resolve to serve North Carolina.
Safety and Heroism
Francis Mazzaro – Community Corrections (Newton)
On Jan. 10, 2015, Probation and Parole Officer Mazzaro and his mentee, Jasmine Watts, went to the residence of an offender under Mazzaro's supervision to find out why he had missed a scheduled office visit. Upon arrival at the residence, the offender’s mother said that her son was sleeping but couldn’t wake him up. Upon her request, Mazzaro and Watts entered the home and called the offender's name. After no response, Mazzaro and Watts entered the offender’s room to find him not responding or breathing. Mazzaro checked the offender and radioed Rowan County emergency communications for assistance. He was instructed to start CPR, which he did, until EMS arrived to take over. Doctors told the family that if Mazzaro had not been there or showed up 15 minutes later to start chest compressions, the offender would have died. The offender later recovered and thanked Mazzaro for saving his life.
Terry P. Neal – State Highway Patrol (town)
Trooper Neal was off duty on March 6, 2016, conducting weekend drills with the NCNG Unit in Kings Mountain when he and three other Guardsmen heard a young lady (about 15 years old) screaming for help. They rushed to the area, where they found the young girl and saw a young man (about 19 years old) groping her. Trooper Neal and the three Guardsmen grabbed the man and detained him until the Kings Mountain Police Department arrived and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was later charged with 2nd Degree Sexual Assault and 2nd Degree Battery.